DUSHANBE, August 1, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- The Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) will meet on August 15 upon completion of the summer recess.

The source at the Majlisi Namoyandagon says the Majlisi Namoyandagon is expected to consider the amnesty proposed by President Emomali Rahmon on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence before August 18.    

After adoption by the Majlisi Namoyandagon the amnesty law must be signed by the president before going into effect.

We will recall that the draft amnesty was submitted to the lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament on July 27.

The 2011 amnesty will apply on female convicts, elderly, minors and sick prisoners, who were serving sentences for minor crimes, as well as veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, participants in the cleanup operation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, holders of decorations of the Soviet Union and Tajikistan, foreign citizens, and those suffering from cancer and serious diseases .

People sentenced for economic crimes may be released if they have repaid the financial losses they caused.

The amnesty will also apply on members of political parties, public associations and illegal religious organizations who were sentenced to five years in prison as well as persons who were sentenced to more than five years in prison and have served two three-quarters of their terms.

The amnesty also applies on militants who fought government troops in 1997 in Khatlon province, Dushanbe, Hisor, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda as well as armed clash of 1998 in Sughd province if they have served half their sentences.

The amnesty excludes those serving sentences for serious crimes such as terrorism and extremism, killing two and more people, recidivists or those who committed crimes in prison.

In all, more than 15,000 people are expected to fall under the 2011 amnesty.  4,000 prison inmates are expected to be released, while others may have their prison terms cut.